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Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Earlier this week spring was ushered in with 50 degree temps! Here in Michigan’s U.P. spring can be rather illusive; however,
if I am being fair, our spring is just different
from spring in other parts of the country.

I remember a time (a number of years
ago) when the snow was melting and the sidewalks were almost dry. It was time to begin long walks again! (Love
being so close to the lake!) The surface
of the bay freezes over in the coldest winter months, so much that people drive
large vehicles out on the ice in order to get to their ice fishing locations.

One especially beautiful day I
excitedly put on my walking shoes and headed out the door. As I was energetically
moving along on the path close to the water, I became aware of a tinkling
sound…magically musical…a bit like glass clinking. I stood very still, on alert, breathing in
the moment. What was the source of this sweet symphony?

Every year there is a small window of
time when the ice on the lake starts and
completes the melting process. At a
pivotal point in time it breaks up into chunks.
Those chunks go into motion providing the most mesmerizing, heavenly
rhapsody. I think of it as God’s
symphony!

I do
enjoy winter (honestly!) and celebrate
the snow. There is nothing like watching
rosy cheeked children whiz down the park hill on sleds, whooping with joy. A few weeks ago the ice boat races brought a
sense of winter adventure as we watched them from the picture window of a local
restaurant. And there is nothing cozier than a fire in our fireplace on a cold,
snowy night.

However, one of the hazards of winter
is something we call “black ice”, also known as “clear ice”. The ice itself is
not black in color but because it is so transparent (and thin) it allows the
black road (or the concrete sidewalk) below to be seen through it. It is visually misleading making it difficult
to discern that there is actually ice on the surface. “Black ice” contributes to nasty falls.

What can “black ice” teach us about
day to day life? Most days I get up with
a plan for the day. My calendar alerts
me to what I am hoping to accomplish and I get moving. And then….I hit “black ice”. I find myself facing a dilemma that I never
saw coming.

It could be a call from the Drs.
Office suggesting I need additional testing (which has happened). One day I received a desperate call from a
friend who needed my attention; I was thankful there was nothing I had to
really change that afternoon so I could get her to the ER. There are endless
examples of “hidden danger” in the unplanned events that hit us broadside and
threaten our equilibrium.

Is there some way to plan for such
unexpected moments? I’m not sure there is much we can do to avoid the sidewalk
ice besides watching our steps very carefully or just staying off of it. But I believe we can prepare for the unexpected “black ice” in our lives.

You see, I learned long ago that I
could not control all the events of my life. No matter how much I think
through, pray through and analyze my decisions…life throws curve balls. I also
learned that I belong to the One Who created me…the One Who is sovereign…the
One Who loves me and had a plan for me before I was even born. Because of my
status as “daughter of the King”, I’m assured the unplanned events of my life
are not a surprise to God.

The book of Genesis in the Bible describes the wondrous story of
creation and the orderly way God, through Jesus, brought it all about. In Psalm
139: 16 we learnthat
His eyes saw our unformed substance and all of our days were written inGod’s book before we ever came
into being. God promises us
in Proverbs 29:13, “You will
seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Life’s “black ice” events do not have
to frighten us. As we “seek Him with all of our hearts”, He reveals
Himself. As we delve deep into the love
letters He sent us (the Bible) and as we pray and worship, trust grows and fear
diminishes. I am thankful to know I can
get up every day, assured I am ready for whatever may come my way.